Race Weekend Central

Ratings Increase Substantially For Sprint Unlimited, Daytona 500 Qualifying

2015 Daytona I Unlimited pack racing II Credit NASCAR via Getty Images

(Credit: Getty Images)

On Tuesday, overnight ratings were released for FOX’s broadcast of Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited.  The network heads were likely quite pleased that their telecast averaged a 3.2 rating for the night, up 78 percent from the 1.8 that the race received last year on FOX Sports 1.  Also, according to TV by the Numbers, the …

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Alex Bowman Wins Fourth Daytona 500 Practice

2014 Michigan II CUP Alex Bowman CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photo, Inc. ©2014)

Remember when Tommy Baldwin Racing nearly snagged the Daytona 500 following the jet-dryer incident of 2012? Their chances of victory this year seem to be just as good with Alex Bowman, who topped the charts in the second Daytona 500 practice of Wednesday with a speed of 200.495 mph. Bowman, 21, is attempting to make his …

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Kyle Busch Paces Third Daytona 500 Practice Amid Danica Patrick Crash

2014 Texas II CUP Kyle Busch CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photography © 2014)

Kyle Busch paced the field in the first Sprint Cup Series action at Daytona since Sunday’s qualifying round, winning the third practice for the Daytona 500 on Wednesday and posting a top speed of 200.776 mph. Busch was one of three drivers to eclipse the 200 mph mark, along with Jimmie Johnson (200.530) and Trevor Bayne (200.053). …

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R.I.P. Dale Earnhardt: Drivers, Fans Remember Champion on Anniversary of Daytona Death

Year Unknown Dale Earnhardt Jeff Gordon racing photographer unknown

(Photographer Unknown)

Today marks the 14th anniversary of the passing of Dale Earnhardt, who died Feb. 18, 2001, in a last-lap crash during the Daytona 500. But while Earnhardt is no longer with us, he is by no means forgotten; after all, not a Daytona Speedweeks goes by without mention of the seven-time champion’s famous name. So it was no surprise …

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Reed Sorenson Ready to Put Focus Back on Making Daytona 500

fronstretch feature image

(Photo: NASCAR via Getty Images)

Things got a little extreme Sunday afternoon for several teams and drivers during round one of qualifying for the Daytona 500. While running in a heavy pack, Reed Sorenson and Clint Bowyer ended up crashing, causing some controversy on the qualifying format. Luckily,  back in North Carolina, the team quickly got together and are now …

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Clint Bowyer’s Post-Wreck Instagram Will Probably Freak You Out

2014 Michigan I CUP Kasey Kahne Clint Bowyer CIA

Looks like Clint Bowyer is in a much better mood this week rather than last Sunday, if his Instagram account is to be believed. The driver of the No. 15 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series took to his Instagram last night (Feb. 16) to discuss the qualifying wreck between he and Reed Sorenson that totaled …

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Court to Kurt Busch: Stay Away from Patricia Driscoll

2014 Richmond II CUP Kurt Busch pensive CIA

(Photo: CIA Stock Photography)

A Kent County Family Court judge has ordered NASCAR’s Kurt Busch to stay away from his ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll, according to a report from USA Today Sports. The announcement came from Driscoll’s attorney. Carolyn McNeice said the order was issued Monday. Any further details and the opinion supporting the order by Commissioner David Jones would be …

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Jeff Gordon Wins Daytona 500 Pole, Two Drivers Fail Inspection

Jeff Gordon Daytona 500 Qualifying 2015 (2) Mike Neff

(Credit: Mike Neff)

Quite the story line indeed. In his final full-time season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Jeff Gordon will start on the pole for what will be his final start in the Daytona 500. Gordon is the first driver to win a Daytona 500 pole in the new group qualifying format that was introduced last season, However, believe …

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Drivers Vent Frustration Following Daytona 500 Qualifying Fracas

2014 Indianapolis CUP Clint Bowyer CIA

(Credit: CIA Stock Photography)

Is your head still hurting? If so, you’re like much of NASCAR nation who struggled to grab a hold of the group qualifying system for the 2015 Daytona 500. Though the attention had some positives – some found the debut of the new format exhilirating – others were much more pronounced in their discontent, and …

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2015 Daytona 500 Pre-Qualifying Practice

Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jimmie Johnson Daytona 2015 Mike Neff

Photo Credit: Mike Neff, Frontstretch

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying Pre-qualifying practice for the Daytona 500 is in the books. Two sessions took place at Daytona International Speedway Saturday on Saturday with 48 of the 49 cars entered for the 500 taking times in the first session. 42 cars were on track later in the second session. Overall, Ricky Stenhouse …

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Jeff Gordon Fastest in Final Sprint Unlimited Practice

2014 Chicago CUP Jeff Gordon CIA

(CIA Stock Photo, Inc. © 2014)

Just 14 of the 25 cars racing the Sprint Unlimited Saturday night logged laps in the final practice session for tomorrow night’s Sprint Unlimited. Jeff Gordon, who will run his final Daytona 500 next weekend, posted the fastest speed with a 45.740 sec. (196.764 mph) lap. Denny Hamlin was second quickest, followed by teammate Kyle Busch. …

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